Moving In With The McDonoughs (a Before You Exit Fanfiction)

Chapter 35

"Uhh, guys?" I spoke. They all calmed down and looked at me to continue. I pointed towards the clock and they all looked at it, then at each other and finally, at me. We all knew what that meant: time for them to... Leave. My heart sank. We looked at each other before getting up from the bed and floor of my bedroom and heading to the living room. We stood in silence for quite a while before I decided to speak.

"H-hey, you guys can... Uhh, come over... Whenever you... Umm, whenever you like, o-okay?" I said, feeling like I would break down if I spoke another word. I took in a deep breath and looked up at the boys standing in front of me with the same sadness in their eyes. They nodded slowly before Toby rushed over to me, enveloping me in a tight hug. I huffed and sniffed, that being enough for tears to well up in my eyes. I blinked them away.

"H-hey... T-Toby... Come on..." I mumbled and gently pulled him away. He wiped his hand over his face and hung his head low, trying not to make eye contact with me but I put my hand on his chin, making him look up.

"C-can I... *sniff*... C-come and... And visit any... Anytime?" he said in a low voice, making my heart melt and I hugged him.

"Of course you can, Toby. Anytime you want. Just make sure to give me a call before to make sure that I'm actually home at that time!" I said, feeling Toby chuckled in my shoulder. Riley came over and gently pulled Toby away. I caught Riley's eye and tears welled up in my eyes.

"Riles..." I mumbled, wrapping my arms around him as he did the same and I let the tears fall as I hugged Riley tightly.

"W-we'll definitely come... And visit, H-Haley," he reassured me and I gave him a weak smile. We pulled apart and I huffed.

"Oh, why'd you guys have to be so darn amazing? It's so hard letting you go, even if you're in the same city for another week or two!" I complained and they all chuckled. I hugged Thomas gratefully and turned to Braiden. He caught my eye and took in a deep breath, motioning Connor to hug me first. They started having a motioning fight when I chuckled.

"Oh come here, you losers!" I said, grinning through the tears and hugged both of them at the same time. I heard them chuckle and I hugged them tighter. I let them go... Hesitantly and kissed them on the cheek. Braiden briefly closed his eyes when I pressed my lips against his cheek. He looked at me and smiled. I stood really close to him that our arms were pressed together and turned to the other boys. Connor caught Braiden's eye and smiled slightly at him. In return, Braiden put his arm around my shoulders. I side hugged him tightly before taking a deep breath.

"So... Is it... T-time?" I asked slowly. They looked at each other and at me and Connor slowly nodded. My heart sank a bit but I didn't show it. Taking a deep breath, I lead the way to the front door. Thomas, hugging me one more time, went to the car and waited beside it. Riley hugged me, too and after thanking me for the varsity jacket again, he joined Thomas. Toby groaned, hugged me tightly, for a LONG while and Connor put his hand on Toby's shoulder to pull him back. Toby had made a sad baby face and hesitantly, walked to the middle of the front lawn and stopped, turning around and suddenly ran back and hugged me. I let out a laugh and hugged him back, before kissing him on the forehead and gently pushing him towards Riley and Thomas. He smiled slightly and ran over to Riley, hugging him. Riley put his hand over his little brother's head, making my heart melt. I turned to the remaining two boys at my door. They smiled at me and after Connor gave me a warm hug and a pat on the back and a grin to Braiden, he stared towards the car.

"H-hey, Connor?" I called out, making him turn around. He looked amazing with the street light shining on him and his hands in his jean pockets.

"Yeah?" he replied.

"Would... Would you mind... Umm, wait for a minute? I... I umm... Want to..." I stumbled on my words. I put out his hand to hush me.

"I'll wait," he replied and I smiled at him gratefully. I mouthed a 'thank you' to him and he nodded a 'you're welcome' before turning back to the street but didn't move from his spot.

"So..." I heard Braiden say and I turn to him.

"So?" I asked.

"This is... Umm... Goodbye?" he asked.

"This is See Ya Later... Not goodbye," I replied with a grin. Braiden laughed and grinned back.

"Using my words against me, huh?" he said and raised an eyebrow, causing me to laugh. I nodded and Braiden wrapped his arms around me in a big hug. I gratefully returned it and buried my face into his shirt.

"I love you, Haley," I heard Braiden whisper, making my heart skip a beat... Or a couple of beats. I looked at him in surprise. I smiled slightly before burying my face into his shirt and smiled widely. He grinned, too and hugged me tightly.

"I love you, Braiden," I mumbled into him and felt him chuckle.

"I know you do," he remarked and I laughed. I let him go.

"Well, see ya later, Haley!" he said, grinning at me and waving before walking to the boys waiting by the car. Thomas got in and the rest joined him. I walked to Connor, who turned to acknowledge me.

"Hey," he said. I smiled.

"Everything okay?" I nodded with a little... Doubt? Well, whatever it was, Connor saw it.

"What's wrong, buddy?" he turned to face me and his back was to the car. I sighed.

"Nothing... I just... Umm, wanted you to know that I... I wasn't leaving you... Out," I said quietly. I furrowed his brows in confusion.

"Leave me out? Of what?" he asked softly. I searched my usually active brain for words but it refused to respond.

"Well, I had... Like private... No, not private but... Umm, a bit personal... Yeah, that's the word... Personal talks with Toby and Riley and I... I didn't want you to feel left out," I said with a shrug. Connor smiled at my confused explanation.

"It's absolutely okay, Haley! I don't mind at all," he said but I shook my head.

"But I mind!" I said, seeing Connor's expression soften further.

"Aww, Haley," he said, enveloping me in a hug. I buried my face into his shirt and let the tears, that I had no idea were welling up in my eyes, fall. The tears, to my surprise, turned into a soft sobbing as Connor hugged me even tighter.

"I'm sorry, Connor... I'm so... Sorry," I mumbled in between sniffs.

"It's okay, Haley. It's okay. You don't have to apologise about anything," he said, stroking my head. I squeezed Connor before letting him go. He held me at arm's length and examined my face. I took in a deep breath and smiled at him. He felt content with it and smiled back. He nodded in question, which I returned confidently. He let me go and went to the rest.

"What was that about?" I heard Riley ask Connor.

"She just needed a bit of... TLC," Connor replied, making me smile and chuckle. They all got into the car and waved.

"BYE HALEY!!" Toby shouted. I laughed and waved back.

"BYE GUYS!!" I shouted back and watched the car disappear down the road. Aren't you supposed to feel sad when someone leaves? Well, I didn't because they hadn't left... Not really.

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OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!! THE FEELS!!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!

Okay... Calming down... I just want to thank EVERY SINGLE one of you who read my story and liked it, loved it or even hated it. I am just so happy that you guys took the time out to read it!:D Feel so blessed! So sorry if I made any of you cry or sad!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE READS, VOTES AND COMMENTS!!! :D

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